By Twink Jones Gadama
The highly anticipated trial of former presidential aide Norman Chisale, former Chief of Staff at State Residences Peter Mukhito, and former Malawi Revenue Authority Deputy Commissioner General Roza Mbilizi hit a snag on Tuesday as defence lawyers for the trio failed to show up in court.
The three accused are facing charges of abusing the Taxpayer Identification Number of former President Peter Mutharika.
However, as the trial commenced, it became apparent that none of the defence lawyers were present in court.
Presiding judge, Chimbizgani Kacheche, expressed his disappointment over the behaviour of the defence, considering the nature of the matter.
He suspended proceedings for 30 minutes, warning that if the defence lawyers failed to show up, the trial would proceed without them.
“This is a serious matter, and it’s unacceptable that the defence lawyers are not taking it seriously,” said Judge Kacheche. “We cannot delay the trial indefinitely. If they are not here when we resume, we will proceed with or without them.”
The absence of the defence lawyers has raised eyebrows, with many speculating about the reasons behind their no-show.
Some have suggested that the defence may be employing delay tactics, while others believe that there may be more serious issues at play.
The trial has been highly publicized, with many Malawians eager to see justice served.
The accused are facing serious charges, and if found guilty, could face significant penalties.
As the trial resumes, all eyes will be on the defence lawyers to see if they will show up.
If they fail to appear, the trial will proceed without them, and the accused will have to face the music alone.
The case has sparked widespread interest, with many Malawians following the developments closely.
As the trial continues, one thing is certain – justice will be served, and those found guilty will be held accountable.
In related news, Norman Chisale is also facing charges of accumulating unexplained wealth while he was presidential bodyguard for former President Peter Mutharika.
The case is ongoing, and Chisale has denied any wrongdoing.
The trial of Chisale, Mukhito, and Mbilizi is expected to continue in the coming days, with the prosecution presenting its case against the accused.
As the trial unfolds, Malawians will be watching closely to see how justice is served.
